Picks of the Week

Here are this week's, "Picks of the Week", this time with time for a little thought to put into the selections. No more byes, so we have a full slate. Hopefully that will halt the min-slide I have been on. If anything, last week did see my first push of the year. Thanks Belichek! (Please not sarcasm).

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Carolina Panthers -3 1/ v. Miami Dolphins
With Ronnie Brown hurt and Carolina on a bit of a roll, I thought for sure this was a lock. Whoops. Bad start.

Indianapolis Colts -1 at Baltimore Ravens
This should be an excellent game. But for some reason, Indianapolis seems blessed this year. I am not saying they will go undefeated, but with Belichek coaching as if he were Bruce Coslet.

Atlanta Falcons +7 at New York Giants
Atlanta can control the ball, and with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, has enough firepower to test the Giants secondary. The Giants, well, aren't playing like the Giants. I believe a touchdown is too many points. I'll take 'em.

Minnesota Vikings -10 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Vikings just have way too much talent for Seattle this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers -10 1/2 at Kansas City Chiefs
With the loss of Dwayne Bowe for 4 weeks, every team can just roll its coverage toward Chris Chambers. Pittsburgh's defense is just too tough for the newly-minted started Jamal Charles.

Jacksonville Jaguars -9 v. Buffalo Bills
The Bills run defense is horrendous, and the Jaguars have, well, nothing more than Maurice Jones-Drew.

Green Bay Packers -6 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers
Jay Cutler threw 4 interceptions, and the Bears were driving for a winning score when he threw his fifth. That must mean San Francisco is not that good. Frank Gore could still have a great game, but not good enough.

Detroit Lions -3 1/2 v. Cleveland Browns
Did I really just take Detroit? Giving points? Really? Yes. Yes I did. Cleveland will not stop Kevin Smith today. (Did you hear me fantasy teams - you will not stop Kevin Smith!)

Washington Redskins +11 at Dallas Cowboys
I believe that Dallas will win this game, but the Redskins defense is much stronger than people would like to believe, given how bad the team is overall. I'll take the points on this one.

Arizona Cardinals -9 1/2 at St. Louis Rams
I really didn't know where to go on this game. St. Louis has kept games close. It's defense is playing better each week, and Steven Jackson is having a phenomenal season, albeit in obscurity. However, I think Arizona has found a running game in Beenie Man, and that could make for a scary, scary offense. Arizona just needs to play Wells full time, instead of alternating him with Hightower and Tackleberry.

San Diego Chargers -5 1/2 at Denver Broncos
LaDanian Tomlinson might be back. Chris Simms is.

New England Patriots -10 1/2 v. New York Jets
They have to bounce back after last week's debacle.

Cincinnati Bengals -9 1/2 at Oakland Raiders
This line would probably have been 12 if Russell was starting. Instead, it is Bruce Gradkowski at the helm. At least the Raiders still have Sebastian Janikowski. The Benson injury scares me a bit, but only about covering the spread.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Chicago Bears
As I said last week, I am no longer betting on this Bears team.

Houston Texans -4 v. Tennessee Titans
I expect 2,000 yards of total offense.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

New Orleans -10 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints have been skating by the last few games, or so it seems. However, I saw the Buccaneers play in person last week, and they are no match for the Saints. Josh Freeman does offer them a pretty good looking future at QB, but they just don't have the weapons for him yet.


Previous Week's Record: 7-6-1 (0-1 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 66-49-1 (4-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): ($235)
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $985